Advanced boot option, "repair your computer" not working

[Smoothgrilledc]

I am trying to get into my account (which I lost the password for) and need into the "repair your computer" advanced boot option. But when I hit enter on it I get a message saying that "windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:" and tells me to put in the installation disk and restart and all that stuff. But when I do it doesn't register the disk. I know the drives work and the disk is good. It also says "status: OxOOOOOOf info: the boot selection failed because a required Device is inaccessible."

What can I do to fix this? My main objective is to reset my password in my administrative account and not lose my files in doing so.

Any hello would greatly be appreciated. Thanks

 

[SIW2]

If you have an installtion dvd, then you need to select the dvddrive as the boot device.

Most machines have a one time selection menu that will pop up if you press a key during post.

It varies depending on the motherboard. F12 is common.

 

[Smoothgrilledc]

Ok thank you that did work to get the installation disk to register, but it gives me the same issue. What would make the required device inaccessible? And what device is it taking about or how do I find out?

 

[SIW2]

“The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible.”

Means bootmgr can't find the windows loader. Usually because the bcd entry is pointing at the wrong place.

Bootmgr has a look in the bcd store for directions. If he gets the correct directions, he can find winload.exe ( or winload.efi if you are efi booting). If he can't find it, you get that helpful message.

Running startup repair from you installation media will often fix it. You might need to run it 2 or 3 times.

You can borrow my win7 boot media. That way you will be able to see what you are doing.
I assume you are using 64 bit

17514x64v20.iso

It is usually suggested to create a bootable usb stick from repair/recovery media. Though at a pinch it can be burnt as an image to cd/dvd.

Something like usb7ice is a tool to do it

View attachment Usb7ice.zip

 

[Smoothgrilledc]

Awesome thank you. I have to run out for about two hours and will give that a shot when I return. Thank you again.